Arrests include Leandras Law violator and accused car thief

Two drivers arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of a substance Tuesday and early Wednesday involved a Leandras Law felony and a suspected car thief.

David W. Peterson, 32, of 131 Union St., Clayton, was arrested by Watertown police Tuesday evening on allegations that he drove under the influence of a prescription drug while his 4-year-old daughter was a passenger.

He was to be arraigned Wednesday in City Court on the Leandras Law felony of aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving while under the influence of drugs, following too closely and failure to keep right. Police said Mr. Peterson struck the rear of a vehicle on Public Square shortly after 6 p.m., then drove onto Black River Parkway, where he was pulled over.

Christopher M. Perciful, 31, of 548 Mill St., was charged by state police early Wednesday with driving while intoxicated, felony third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, fourth-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest. Police said he was driving on Interstate 81 in the town of Pamelia in a 2009 Chevrolet Impala, owned by Jenny Sampson, that was stolen at the Comfort Inn on Commerce Drive. When a trooper attempted to halt the car at 4:35 a.m., he turned onto Route 342, then went onto Route 37, where he went off the road and struck a house at 26141 Route 37, police said.

He ran from the scene and was apprehended at Longways Diner.

He refused to take a breath test, police said.

Mr. Perciful was arraigned before City Judge Eugene R. Renzi, who sent him to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building with bail set at $10,000.

In another investigation, Cameron M. Cross, 24, of 23516 Burnup Road, Black River, was arrested by state police at 8:40 p.m. Tuesday on Route 3 in the town of Rutland on a DWI count.

He additionally is cited with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Police said he had a breath test reading of 0.12 percent blood alcohol content. Under state law, a BAC of 0.08 percent or more is considered proof of intoxication.

Commenting rules:

Stick to the topic of the article/letter/editorial.

When responding to issues raised by other commenters, do not engage in personal attacks or name-calling.

Comments that include profanity/obscenities or are libelous in nature will be removed without warning.

Violators' commenting privileges may be revoked indefinitely. By commenting you agree to our full Terms of Use.